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Karl Clauss Joins Swarthmore as Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations

Nancy Nicely

December 20th, 2011

Karl Clauss Joins Swarthmore as Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations

by Nancy Nicely12/20/2011

Karl Clauss

Swarthmore College President Rebecca Chopp announced today that Karl Clauss will join the Swarthmore community as its new vice president for development and alumni relations, effective March 1, 2012.

"We sought an accomplished and articulate person of substance with a track record of success for this position, and were delighted to find a perfect match in Karl," says Chopp. "He has a quick mind that readily and deftly engages complexity, and is known for his thoughtful and caring style. Karl's deep appreciation for academic rigor and his abiding commitment to personal and professional ethics make him particularly well suited for our community."

"The leadership opportunity at Swarthmore is very exciting for me," Clauss says. "It is a great privilege to serve an institution that is world-renowned for its commitment to the liberal arts. Swarthmore is embarking upon an exciting new chapter as President Chopp leads the community in implementing a dynamic and forward-thinking strategic plan. I am honored to partner with a committed Board of Managers and talented staff to support this effort with an ambitious campaign. I am eager to engage faculty, staff, students, alumni, and parents as we begin to take action to make these new directions a reality."

Clauss, currently the associate vice president for institutional advancement and director of capital and annual support at Colgate University, has been a key figure in two successful capital campaigns there. The donors with whom he has worked remark on his intellectual depth, his trustworthiness, and his creativity. Staff members talk about his support for their growth, his ability to create and lead a collegial team, his experience in leadership and management, and his outstanding capacity for strategic thinking.

"Swarthmore is very fortunate that Karl will lead our development efforts," says Gil Kemp,'72, a member of the search committee and the College's Board of Managers. "His deep experience, exceptional interpersonal skills, and great dedication make him a very effective fundraiser. And as we gear up for a major comprehensive campaign, he will be leading a staff which is preparing to raise far more money than we have ever raised. His leadership and profound work ethic will help us attain our ambitious goals."

Clauss, who graduated from Colgate with a bachelor's of arts in political science, has broad experience in development, beginning as an assistant director of the annual fund, and moving into capital support, regional development, and director of major gifts, before assuming the role of associate vice president.

"We are pleased that Karl has chosen to join Swarthmore at this exciting time in our history," says Suzanne Welsh, vice president for finance and treasurer, who also served on the search committee. "He brings a depth of experience, an appreciation for the liberal arts, and a thoughtful and engaging manner to the leadership of our development and alumni relations staff as we embark on achieving Swarthmore's strategic vision." Swarthmore College will undertake a comprehensive campaign in the next several years.

Clauss, his wife, Anne, and two children, Gretchen, 11, and Walter, 9, will live on campus at the West House.